11 AM - 9 PM DAILY • FREE ADMISSION!

This weekend, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, celebrates humanity's ubiquitous cultural instrument by hosting Call of The Drum, an exciting, outdoor, cross-cultural musical festival.

This FREE 2-day family-friendly event includes interactive drumming circles, workshops, children's activities, food trucks, and live performances representing cultures all around the world. Feel, hear, and dance to the sounds of Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean and MORE!!! Headlining performers include AfroHORN with Francisco Mora (July 25) and Bill Summers (July 26).

SESSIONS FILLED for Summer Camp Africa: Healthy Habits Monday - Friday, July 13 - August 14PLEASE NOTE: ALL SESSIONS FOR SUMMER CAMP AFRICA HAVE BEEN FILLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST! Camp Africa: Healthy Habits is a FREE week-long day camp open to children ages 7 – 12. During this 5-day session (repeating weekly for five weeks), children will learn about Africa's cultural and geographic diversity; participate in hands-on S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) activities focused on the topic of healthy habits; and develop and exercise crucial skills in the areas of vocabulary, literacy, and the visual arts. Camp Africa runs Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 3:15 PM daily. Camp Africa is made possible by the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Click here to learn more...

CASOE Youth Theater presents Purple Floors & Diamond Doors ($)Friday, July 24 at 7:30 PMPurple Floors & Diamond Doors is a theatrical event produced by The CASOE Group featuring some of metro Detroit’s most talented young adults. For more information call (313) 340-0829.

CALL of The DRUM: An International Drum SummitFriday & Saturday, July 25 & 26 from 11 AM - 9 PM DailyDrumming is universal and as old as humankind. Celebrates humanity's ubiquitous cultural instrument at Call of The Drum, an exciting, outdoor, cross-cultural musical event. This FREE 2-day family-friendly festival includes interactive drumming circles, workshops, children's activities, food trucks, and live performances representing cultures all around the world. Feel, hear, and dance to the sounds of Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean and MORE! Headlining performers include Francisco Mora & Afro Horn (July 25) and Bill Summers (July 26). Call of The Drum was one of the top 10 vote receivers for the 2014 Knight Arts Challenge from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Free.Click here to learn more...

Meet the Scientist featuring R.J. Watkins & Henry TylerSaturday, July 25 at 2 PMDo you know a curious student, a young Einstein, or a future tech wizard who is always thinking of the next big thing? Bring them to discover and explore science with activities led by scientists and technologists with the hands-on exhibit, "Inspiring Minds: African Americans in Science and Technology!" For July, meet R.J. Watkins, Founder / CEO of WHPR Radio 88.1 FM, UHF Television Channel 33, and Comcast Channels 20 and 90, and Henry Tyler, Vice President of Productions and Program Director. Both will talk about the science behind the broadcast industry. Free. Click here to learn more...

Hustle for History Weekly Dance Lessons ($)Sunday, July 26 at 5 pm Get your groove on with our weekly hustle lessons, taught by instructor Thomasenia Johnson of Two Left Feet. Free for Members, $7 for non-members. Purchase 5 lessons and receive a complimentary museum membership, making your next 12 months of hustle lessons FREE!Click here to learn more...

And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and CultureThe core experience of The Wright Museum, this 22,000 square-foot exhibition takes visitors through time and across geographic boundaries from prehistoric Africa all the way to modern-day Detroit. Throughout, the efforts of everyday men and women who built families, businesses, educational institutions, spiritual traditions, civic organizations and a legacy of freedom and justice are hailed. Click here to learn more...

Inspiring Minds: African Americans in Science & TechnologyThis high-tech exhibition highlights trailblazers, contemporaries and careers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. African Americans have contributed to the scientific and engineering output of the United States since the 17th century, and this history is brought to life through interactive computer kiosks, a touchscreen video wall, and hands-on activities and play areas. Inspiring Minds introduces individuals from across the spectrum of fields, levels of renown, and from times past and present, with highlights on African American women in science, black aviators, black inventors, medical ethics, and key historical figures such as George Washington Carver. Click here to learn more...

Shadow Matter: The Rhythm of Structure – Afro Futurism to Afro Surrealism Through August 30, 2015This one-man show features works by New York sculptor and Inkster, Michigan-native M. Scott Johnson. Scott’s education as a sculptor began in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he studied traditional and contemporary stone sculpting under master sculptor, national hero and elder statesman of Zimbabwe stone sculpture Nicholas Mukomberanwa (1940 - 2002). Scott’s work has also been strongly influenced by African American techno music, Ndyuka and Saramaka graphic art forms, Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi, and Makonde sculpture. Click here to read more...

The Nataki Way: 36th Anniversary of the Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of DetroitThrough October 11, 2015 Carmen and George N'Namdi founded the Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit (NTSD) in 1978 to honor the memory of their fourteen-month-old daughter, Nataki Talibah N'Namdi, who died in 1974. The names Nataki and Talibah are from central Africa; Nataki (Nah-TAH-kee) means of high birth and Talibah (Tah-LEE-bah) means seeker after knowledge. In 1995, NTSD was chartered as a public school under Central Michigan University. After 36 years of hard work, the NTSD continues to uplift students from diverse backgrounds and help them embody the varying roles each of us must play to improve our world. Click here to learn more...

I, Charles H. Wright: My StoryThrough March 6, 2016 This year, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History reaches a milestone in the history of the institution - its 50th anniversary. To celebrate this august achievement the museum presents an exhibition centered around the life of the man who started it: Charles Howard Wright, M.D. (1919-2002). A great physician, an intellectual of incredible insight, and a man of solemn dedication to his community, through words and images, documents and objects, the exhibition summarizes his expansive legacy. Click here to learn more...

Finding Mona Lisa 313Through September 13, 2015 "Finding Mona Lisa" is a program providing travel and cultural development opportunities for Detroit youth founded by artist, educator, and entrepreneur Jocelyn Rainey. The late Gilda Snowden observed that the Finding Mona Lisa students are the works of art, with the different places they've traveled being their canvases. The exhibition features large photographs of the students' travels. Click here to learn more...

Become a Member Today!

Members of the The Wright Museum enjoy benefits such as: • Free admission to the museum • Free guest pass(es) • Invitations to Members' Only previews • Free subscription to the quarterly membership newsletter, The Wright Times • 10% discount in the museum store • Special pricing on select museum events • 20% off meals at Union Street Restaurant

Unless otherwise noted with ($), all events are FREE and open to the public.

23rd Annual Concert of Colors Opening Night featuring Mike EllisonThursday, July 9 at 7 PM (Doors open at 5 PM) In what has become a fist-pumping, standing room-only tradition, The Wright kicks off the 23rd annual Concert of Colors with a power-packed performance by MIKE ELLISON presenting "Hard Enough To Smile," a musical journey encompassing hip hop, rock and roll, African rhythms and more! Concert of Colors, a FREE celebration of the many ethnicities and cultures represented by the people of southeast Michigan and the indigenous music of Detroit, continues through July 12 at the Detroit Institute of Arts and Max M. Fisher Music Center. Updates and complete artist and venue information is at concertofcolors.com.

Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Saturday, July 11 at 1:30 PM Links to Science is an exciting new series of FREE children’s workshops designed to explore The Wright Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, "Inspiring Minds: African Americans in Science & Technology." "Inspiring Minds" explores achievements in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through interactive computer kiosks, a touchscreen video wall, and hands-on activities and play areas. Let members of The Renaissance (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated be your guides to inspiration! Free.

Ford Free Second Sunday Sunday, July 12 from 1 - 5 PM Bring your family and friends to experience the wonder of The Wright Museum with free admission every second Sunday of the month courtesy of Ford Motor Company! Enjoy the many exhibitions on display as well as engaging programming for the entire family. Free Second Sundays are supported by Ford Motor Company.

Don Barden Foundation Interactive StorytimeSunday, July 12 at 2 PMWhere music, movement, and literacy collide, this interactive story performance will put your kids in the story! Have fun dancing and enjoying storytelling with Yolanda Jack and Michelle McKinney - AND take a free book home afterwards! This Children's Interactive Storytime is made possible by the support of the Don Barden Foundation and General Motors Foundation. Free.

Hustle for History Weekly Dance Lessons ($)Sunday, July 12 at 5 pm Get your groove on with our weekly hustle lessons, taught by instructor Thomasenia Johnson of Two Left Feet. Free for Members, $7 for non-members. Purchase 5 lessons and receive a complimentary museum membership, making your next 12 months of hustle lessons FREE!Click here to learn more...

And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and CultureThe core experience of The Wright Museum, this 22,000 square-foot exhibition takes visitors through time and across geographic boundaries from prehistoric Africa all the way to modern-day Detroit. Throughout, the efforts of everyday men and women who built families, businesses, educational institutions, spiritual traditions, civic organizations and a legacy of freedom and justice are hailed. Click here to learn more...

Inspiring Minds: African Americans in Science & TechnologyThis high-tech exhibition highlights trailblazers, contemporaries and careers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. African Americans have contributed to the scientific and engineering output of the United States since the 17th century, and this history is brought to life through interactive computer kiosks, a touchscreen video wall, and hands-on activities and play areas. Inspiring Minds introduces individuals from across the spectrum of fields, levels of renown, and from times past and present, with highlights on African American women in science, black aviators, black inventors, medical ethics, and key historical figures such as George Washington Carver. Click here to learn more...

Shadow Matter: The Rhythm of Structure – Afro Futurism to Afro Surrealism Through August 30, 2015This one-man show features works by New York sculptor and Inkster, Michigan-native M. Scott Johnson. Scott’s education as a sculptor began in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he studied traditional and contemporary stone sculpting under master sculptor, national hero and elder statesman of Zimbabwe stone sculpture Nicholas Mukomberanwa (1940 - 2002). Scott’s work has also been strongly influenced by African American techno music, Ndyuka and Saramaka graphic art forms, Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi, and Makonde sculpture. Click here to read more...

The Nataki Way: 36th Anniversary of the Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of DetroitThrough October 11, 2015 Carmen and George N'Namdi founded the Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit (NTSD) in 1978 to honor the memory of their fourteen-month-old daughter, Nataki Talibah N'Namdi, who died in 1974. The names Nataki and Talibah are from central Africa; Nataki (Nah-TAH-kee) means of high birth and Talibah (Tah-LEE-bah) means seeker after knowledge. In 1995, NTSD was chartered as a public school under Central Michigan University. After 36 years of hard work, the NTSD continues to uplift students from diverse backgrounds and help them embody the varying roles each of us must play to improve our world. Click here to learn more...

I, Charles H. Wright: My StoryThrough March 6, 2016 This year, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History reaches a milestone in the history of the institution - its 50th anniversary. To celebrate this august achievement the museum presents an exhibition centered around the life of the man who started it: Charles Howard Wright, M.D. (1919-2002). A great physician, an intellectual of incredible insight, and a man of solemn dedication to his community, through words and images, documents and objects, the exhibition summarizes his expansive legacy. Click here to learn more...

Finding Mona Lisa 313Through September 13, 2015 "Finding Mona Lisa" is a program providing travel and cultural development opportunities for Detroit youth founded by artist, educator, and entrepreneur Jocelyn Rainey. The late Gilda Snowden observed that the Finding Mona Lisa students are the works of art, with the different places they've traveled being their canvases. The exhibition features large photographs of the students' travels. Click here to learn more...

Members of the The Wright Museum enjoy benefits such as: • Free admission to the museum • Free guest pass(es) • Invitations to Members' Only previews • Free subscription to the quarterly membership newsletter, The Wright Times • 10% discount in the museum store • Special pricing on select museum events • 20% off meals at Union Street Restaurant

Unless otherwise noted with ($), all events are FREE and open to the public.

My legacy was my job. Everything I did was what I was supposed to do... I was committed to what I defined as "one of the most important tasks of our times," ensuring that generations, especially young African Americans, are made aware of and take pride in the history of their forbears and their remarkable struggle for freedom. An idea came to me that African Americans needed a museum to collect and preserve our history and culture. And, with the help of many minds and hands, that idea came to fruition. – Charles H. Wright, M.D.

As I read these words by our museum’s founder in the exhibition, I, Charles H. Wright: My Story, I was struck by the following thought: we cannot wait for greatness; we must make it so. Dr. Wright, through purpose, education, and service, marshaled the energies of many, and today we have this great museum that bears his name.

When studying history, it is easy to equate greatness with great deeds, of moments etched in the collective memory of humanity. Especially so in the lives of those who made the greatest sacrifice – such as Viola Liuzzo and Malcolm X, two mighty freedom fighters who lost their lives 50 years ago.

Does greatness require great deeds? Certainly not - greatness also lies in little deeds done purposefully, like daily lessons taught by dedicated teachers, or selfless prayers said by the faithful. Great deeds such as these are not tracked by history's lens, yet in aggregate, have changed the world countless times since time began.

When we line up to vote to determine our representation in the halls of government, we stand on the shoulders of those who fought for that right. Those who marched from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago did so as ordinary folks who put on the mantle of greatness by virtue of their deeds.

While we live in an age of instant celebrity and omnipresent media, most of us will never be famous. Yet we can do great things – for our families, in our communities, and for the future. Through purpose, we can conquer fear; through education, we abolish ignorance; through service, we uplift one another.

We can look to history to inspire us, to fuel the passion behind purpose, but it is up to each of us to understand our purpose, and how we may best put it to work. Dr. Wright’s legacy should encourage us all to pursue our purposeful contribution, and greatness will surely follow.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is recognizing Women’s History Month during the month of March with a calendar packed full of events. The month-long celebration launches this Saturday, March 7, at 7 pm with jessica Care moore’s 11th Annual Black Women Rock!Concert[sold out]. The rock music showcase features high-energy, fun-filled performances from moore, Nik West, Ideeyah, Stephanie McKay and more that the entire family is sure to enjoy. Attendees can participate in workshops, visit the pop-up BWR art exhibit, and mingle with the BWR performers during the artist meet & greet. Saturday’s evening of entertainment will be followed by Black Women Rock! Community Discussionon Sunday at 12:30 pm. The discussion will be led by a panel of BWR performers and is free and open to the public.

On March 13, for the second year, The Wright Museum will host #313DLove, an event with one sole purpose – to uplift Detroit! Speakers from community centered organizations, including United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Arise Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and more, will share stories, ideas, and action items on ways others can “be part of the change” which is taking place in our beloved city. The talks take place from 1 – 5 pm with a social media campaign launching at 3:13 pm. Tickets are $31.30 and can be purchased at http://www.313dlove.com/. Those who are unable to join us in person are encouraged to join us on the web with the hashtag #313DLove.

Women’s History Month will culminate with The Wright Museum’s 2nd Annual Women’s History Month Concert: Our Pride and Joy. Taking place on Friday, March 27 at 7 pm, six legendary women will be celebrated with a compelling and joyous performance of song, spoken word, poetry and dance. The honored include, Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, Dorothy Height and Detroit’s own Judge Claudia Morcom. During the concert, a special Sojourner Truth statue will be publicly unveiled. Admission is free; all are welcome to attend.

During March, The Wright Museum will continue to host regular programmed events including Mahogany at the Museum (March 13), The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers (March 20), and Liberation Film Series (March 21). As the snow melts and we enter spring, The Wright welcome families to bring in their youth to experience our extensive list of free children’s programming such as Saturday’s Family Activity Series (March 14, 21, 28), Interactive Storytime (March 8), and Links to Science (March 7 & 14).

SPECIAL EVENTS

SOLD OUT: Black WOMEN Rock! Concert ($)Saturday, March 7 at 7 pm Experience the rock performance of the year at The Wright! Black WOMEN Rock! showcases the music and stories of Black women who build institutions around their craft, and empowering women who play guitar, cello, drums, sing, or write poetry, to do so on their own terms. 2015 represents the 11th year anniversary of the BWR Weekender. In addition to the concert, the weekend is filled with an assortment of other activities, including an art exhibition, workshop, panel discussion and meet-and-greet with the performers of BWR. 2015 performers include: Nik West, jessica Care moore, Ideeyah, Stephanie McKay, Denitia Odigie, Steffanie Christi'an, Monica Blaire, DJ Stacey "HOTWAXX" Hale, Kat Dyson, Sabrina Nelson, the Black Women Rock Orchestra and more! The Black WOMEN Rock! concert is SOLD OUT. For media access please contact
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or call (313) 494-5866.

Black WOMEN Rock! Community DiscussionSunday, March 8 at 12:30 pm The community discussion portion of the Black WOMEN Rock! weekend is an all-ages forum for talking to and learning from the Black WOMEN Rock performers, including valuable insight and advice for artists and performers of all genres. Free.

#313DLove: What’s “Wright” About Detroit Discussion Event ($)Saturday, March 13 from 1 – 8 pm The vision of #313DLove is a Detroit whose self-worth is high, unemployment is low, and education system is second to none. If TEDx is all about "Ideas worth spreading" #313DLove is all about "actions worth emulating.” We've gathered a handful of top-shelf people who are busy making a huge impact on our community. They will share their stories, suggest ways others can "Be part of the change" and, most importantly, what drives them to stay here in the D. The talks are from 1 – 5 pm. We have built in plenty of time so we can get busy tweeting what we love about Detroit at 3:13 with the goal of breaking Twitter. Includes after-panel afterglow in the museum’s beautiful Ford Freedom Rotunda. Tickets are $31.30 and can be purchased at www.313dlove.com.

Artist's Studio Workshop featuring Ziwadi Majiisa ($)Saturday, March 14 at 11 am Local artist Ziwadi Majiisa will lead an art workshop for adults on Mixed Media Assemblage. Admission is $25 or $15 for museum members.

Black Marriage Day 2015 ($)Saturday, March 21 from 11 am – 8 pm Joining city halls, community centers, houses of worship and other institutions in 300 communities nationwide, The Wright Museum and Marriage Resource Center present Black Marriage Day 2015. First launched in Washington, D.C., this national initiative encourages African Americans to embrace an institution by highlighting the deep-rooted historical role marriage has played among African Americans, as well as the reality that there are still black men and women who, day in and day out, meet, fall in love, get married, and stay together. Black Marriage Day 2015 will be held for married couples, as well as those who are engaged, seriously dating or looking to get married, at The Wright Museum on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 11 am. Tickets are $50 per couple in advance, $55 the day of the event. For more information, contact Angela King at
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.

Our Pride and Joy: Women’s History Month Tribute ConcertFriday, March 27 at 7:30 pm In honor of Women’s History Month, six legendary women are celebrated in this riveting and spectacular performance of song, spoken word, poetry, and dance by Detroit’s leading performing artists. Women to be honored include Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, Dorothy Height, and Detroit’s own Judge Claudia Morcom. Additionally, the unveiling of a special Sojourner Truth statue will take place. Hosted by LaShaun Phoenix Kotaran. Free.

FAMILY

Family Activity SeriesEvery Saturday in March 14, 21, 28 at 12 pm
Join in the celebration of The Wright's 50th anniversary with this regular Saturday activity series for the whole family! Featured in March will be hip-hop dance (March 14), crafts (March 21), and discovering classical music with Rick Robinson (March 28)! Free.

Links to Science presented by the Renaissance Chapter of The Links, IncorporatedSaturdays, March 7 & 14 at 1:30 pm Explore the wonders and wizards of science with the Inspiring Minds: African Americans in Science & Technology exhibit, which explores achievements in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through interactive computer kiosks, a touchscreen video wall, and hands-on activities. Free.

Ford Free Second SundaySunday, March 8 from 1 - 5 pm Bring your family and friends to experience the wonder of The Wright Museum with free admission every second Sunday of the month courtesy of Ford Motor Company! Free.

Don Barden Foundation Interactive StorytimeSunday, March 8 at 2 pm
Where music, movement, and literacy collide, this interactive story performance will put your kids in the story! Children take a free book home afterwards! Made possible by the support of the Don Barden Foundation and General Motors Foundation. Free.

Crown-Making WorkshopSaturday, March 21 at 1 pm This hands-on workshop offers attendants of all ages an opportunity to make their own crowns from templates of the designs used in Shani Peters’ University of Michigan exhibition. Free.

Meet the Scientist Saturday featuring David Head & Dr. Terrance DillardSaturday, March 28 at 2 pm Do you know a curious student, a young Einstein, or a future tech wizard who is always thinking of the next big thing? Bring them to discover and explore science with activities around the Inspiring Minds: African Americans in Science and Technology exhibit! David Head & colleagues from the David L. Head Foundation will discuss African American trailblazers and their inventions and contributions to science. Free.

PERFORMANCE

Spelman College Jazz Ensemble Performance ($)Thursday, March 12 at 7 pm Spelman College Jazz Ensemble's unique combination of vocalists, wind instrumentalists, and rhythm section has thrilled and excited audiences across the country with their innovative and soulful sound. Organized in 1983 under the leadership of its founder/director, Joe Jennings, this talented, nationally-renowned, all-female jazz ensemble has toured throughout the United States, and has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Consuela Lee, Nancy Wilson, Leroy Jenkins, Valerie Capers, the Straight Ahead Jazz Quartet, the Uptown Sting Quartet, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Regina Carter. $25 or $15 for museum members.

Mahogany @ The Museum #6 ($)Friday, March 13 at 7 pm
The legacy of Café Mahogany lives on at The Wright Museum. Come be inspired, surrounded by good vibes and great energy, enjoy spoken word and musical artists, live painting, vendors, and much more. Powerful, political, romantic, humorous...real. A perfect night out for sophisticated young professionals. Hosted by Joel Fluent Greene. $15 online / $20 at the door.

Sing a New Song Theatrical ProductionSunday, March 22 at 6 pm "Sing a New Song" is a theatrical production depicting the life of a civil rights minister who is challenged to begin addressing the violence in the black community. He refuses to do so until violence strikes his own home. Crew and cast are asking men to bring a young man to the show, and to come early to walk through the "And Still We Rise" exhibit prior to seeing the play. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Purchase tickets online at http://harambeeproductions.webs.com/ or at The Wright Museum information desk.

FILM

Freedom Riders Film Screening & DiscussionSunday, March 15 at 6 pm The “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle” returns with a screening of "Freedom Riders," presented by The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development. Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses throughout the segregated southern United States in 1961 and following years to challenge the non-enforcement of the United States Supreme Court decisions which ruled that segregated public buses were unconstitutional. The movie tells the terrifying and suspenseful story of a time when white and black volunteers riding a bus into the Deep South, risked being jailed, beaten or killed.Free.

180 Days: Hartsville Film Screening & DiscussionThursday, March 19 at 6 pm A recent Southern Education Foundation report has uncovered that, for the first time in 50 years, the majority of students attending public schools in the U.S. live in poverty. An inspiring new documentary, "180 Days: Hartsville," takes a fresh look at the nation’s poverty and education challenges from a rural South Carolina town triumphing in the face of extraordinary challenges. Co-directors Jacquie Jones and Garland McLaurin, the team behind the Peabody Award-winning documentary 180 Days: A Year Inside an American High School which premiered in 2013, joined SCETV in Hartsville, South Carolina for more than a year. They filmed in two elementary schools struggling with new curriculum standards and maintaining funding, while meeting the needs of individual students. Yet Hartsville is fighting the odds—and winning—with an astonishing 92 percent graduation rate in their city.Free.

Liberation Film Series presents The Spook Who Sat By the Door Saturday, March 21 at 2 pm The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History presents a free screening of “The Spook Who Sat By the Door” followed by a community conversation with Dr. Melvin Peters, Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University. "The Spook Who Sat by the Door" is a 1973 film based on the riveting 1969 novel of the same name by author, Sam Greenlee (1930 - 2014). It is both a powerful story of the late 1960s Black Liberation Movement in the United States, with a particular focus on Black militancy. Free.

Chameleon Street Film Screening & DiscussionSaturday, March 21 at 3 pm
View this screening of Chameleon Street for the first time in Detroit after 20 years! This Sundance award-winning film will be followed with a panel discussion including the film director & star, Wendell B. Harris, and artist Shani Peters. Free.

The Great Detroit Film Screening and Discussion

Sunday, March 22 at 3 pmThe Great Detroit that takes a panoramic look at Detroit's history, scenery and people that emphasizes the positive aspects of the city. Following the screening will be a discussion by the film’s producer, Anthony Brogdon. Free.

Voices of the Civil War Episode 38Wednesday, March 25 online at TheWright.org/voices The Voices of the Civil War is a five-year film series dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the Civil War over the course of the sesquicentennial. Each month, new episodes cover pertinent topics that follow the monthly events and issues as they unfolded for African Americans during the Civil War. Within these episodes there are various primary sources – letters and diaries, newspaper reports, and more - to recount various experiences of blacks during this period. We encourage your feedback and commentary through our Voices of the Civil War blog, where you can view new and previous episodes atwww.TheWright.org/voices.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Hustle for History Weekly Dance Lessons ($)Sundays at 5 pm Get your groove on with our weekly hustle dance lessons taught by instructor Thomasenia Johnson of Two Left Feet. Work your muscles, strengthen your bones and have a ball while supporting the Museum's ongoing membership efforts - this activity is great for all ages! Free for Members, $7 for non-members. Purchase 5 lessons and receive a complimentary museum membership, making your next 12 months of hustle lessons FREE!

30 Days To Lose It! Weekly Workouts ($)Tuesdays at 7:30 pm Ramp it up for March with a jump, hoop & roll workout with Velonda Thompson, PhD, Institute for Population Health! Free for members, $5 for non-members. Attend 8 consecutive sessions and receive a complimentary museum membership, making your next 12 months FREE! For more information please email
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" target="_blank">
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. 30 Days to Lose It! is sponsored by Beaumont Health System and St. John Providence Health System, and endorsed by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

The Value of Service: Women as Leaders Abroad Panel DiscussionWednesday, March 4 at 6 pmThe Value of Service: Women as Leaders Abroad is a joint effort between the Peace Corps – Midwest and The Wright Museum to celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing the accomplishments and perseverance of women who uplift their communities despite the circumstances in which they are placed. The program also seeks to inspire the exploration of other cultures through a life changing, service-based experience. A panelist of local women who are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will speak about their perspective and how they balanced their own values with their communities, specifically around gender issues. The panel will highlight women who took on leadership positions in their communities or who made an impact on their service. Recommend audience: ages 12-years-old and above.

ASALH Detroit General Membership MeetingSunday, March 15 at 3 pm

ASALH History Lesson on the Underground Railroad by Evelyn MillsteinSunday, March 15 at 4:30 pm In keeping with the mission of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Month and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the ASALH Detroit Branch will host monthly history lectures. Please join us to hear from Mrs. Evelyn Millstein who will present on the Underground Railroad. Free.

African World Festival Community Advisory MeetingWednesday, March 18 at 6 pm
Would you like to share your ideas and comments about the upcoming African World Festival? If so, please come to one of the upcoming AWF Community Advisory Meetings to be held monthly on the third Wednesday in the Latimer Café on the lower level. All are invited to share ideas, resources, and support as we plan for the 33rd annual African World Festival, which takes place Friday - Sunday, August 14 - 16, 2015 on the grounds of The Wright Museum. Your participation will insure it's the best AWF yet! Free.

EXHIBITIONS

And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and CulturePermanent Exhibition
The core experience of The Wright Museum, this 22,000 square-foot exhibition takes visitors through time and across geographic boundaries from prehistoric Africa all the way to modern-day Detroit. Throughout, the efforts of everyday men and women who built families, businesses, educational institutions, spiritual traditions, civic organizations and a legacy of freedom and justice are hailed. Free with museum admission.

Inspiring Minds: African Americans in Science and Technology Permanent Exhibition
This high-tech exhibit highlights trailblazers, contemporaries and careers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through interactive computer kiosks, a touchscreen video wall, and hands-on activities and play areas. Inspiring Minds introduces individuals from across the spectrum of fields, levels of renown, and from times past and present, with particular focuses on African American women in science, black aviators, black inventors, medical ethics, and key historical figures such as George Washington Carver. Free with museum admission.

Shadow Matter: The Rhythm of Structure – Afro Futurism to Afro SurrealismThrough August 30, 2015
This one-man show features works by New York sculptor and Inkster, Michigan-native M. Scott Johnson. Scott’s education as a sculptor began in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he studied under master sculptor, national hero and elder statesman of Zimbabwe stone sculpture Nicholas Mukomberanwa (1940 - 2002). Scott’s work has been strongly influenced by African American techno music, Ndyuka and Saramaka graphic art forms, Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi, and Makonde sculpture. Johnson’s work has been exhibited in galleries across the United States and internationally including the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harvard University, and The New York Botanical Gardens. Free with museum admission.

The Nataki Way: 35th Anniversary of the Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of DetroitThrough April 19, 2015 The Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit (NTSD) joyously celebrates 35 years of service to its students, parents, employees, and community. Carmen and George N'Namdi founded NTSD as a private school in 1978 to honor the memory of their fourteen-month-old daughter, Nataki Talibah N'Namdi, who died in 1974. The school now enrolls over 430 students. After 35 years of hard work, the NTSD continues to uplift students from diverse backgrounds and help them identify the varying roles each of us must play to make the world a better place for everyone. Free with museum admission.

I, Charles H. Wright: My StoryOpening March 10; Through January 3, 2016 This special anniversary exhibition features the history of Charles H. Wright, M.D. (1918 – 2002), founder of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, in his own words. It surveys his early life in Dothan, Alabama, his college years, his activism, and the path that led to the founding of the museum. Free with museum admission.

Several noteworthy additions have been made to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s 50th anniversary concert, "Oh, Freedom! A Musical Journey Through African American History," taking place Sunday, March 1 at 7 pm at the Detroit Opera House. Joining the program are Gospel Superfest lifetime achievement award-winner Vanessa Bell Armstrong; Official Jazz Master Laureate for the City of Detroit Marcus Belgrave; Grammy Award-winning Motown producer Sanchez Harley; keyboardist & musical director for Michael Jackson, Greg Phillinganes; and founder and director of The American Playwright Theatre, Barry Scott.

Presented by Ford Motor Company, “Oh, Freedom!” features Grammy Award-winning singer Patti Austin, a choir with 75 of Detroit’s finest voices, and orchestra in the capstone event for The Wright's 2015 Black History Month, and celebrates the museum's 50th anniversary as it commemorates 500 years of African American history through music, song, and the spoken word. Previous performances by Ms. Austin of “Oh, Freedom!” have been lauded in San Francisco, Nashville, and Memphis. The show will include a tribute to the original founders of The Wright Museum, a medley produced by and starring Phillinganes, who served as musical director for the best-selling album of all time – Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and feature performances by Grammy-nominated gospel artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong, jazz trumpet master Marcus Belgrave, and 30-time Detroit Music Award-winning blues artist Thornetta Davis. The 50th anniversary choir includes Grammy-nominated artist Joan Belgrave, as well as singers from over 20 metropolitan church choirs, the Detroit School of Arts and West Bloomfield High School.

Tickets for Oh Freedom!start at $25 and are available at the Detroit Opera House box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, and by phone at (800) 745-3000. The Wright Museum is also giving away 2 pairs of tickets per day through a promotional text-to-win contest. To enter, entrants can text “Patti” to 72727 anytime from February 23 through February 27. Winners will be selected and notified daily.

For more information visit TheWright.org/ohfreedom. Oh Freedom! is made possible by support from Ford Motor Company, Macy’s, and AARP Michigan.